Advantage Age Scotland’s magazine: summer 19, issue 54
Meg Maine, A 2019 Age Scotland Inspiration Award winner (Group)
Age Scotland Helpline, Pg 12
Body Boosting Bingo, Pg 16 CELEBRATING Veterans team THOSE MAKING update, Pg 24 A DIFFERENCE!
foreword
Contents p4: Our fifth National Conference p8: Housing through the lens of ageing p14: The Big Knit is back! p16: Body Boosting Bingo p20: Men's Sheds in Scotland p24: Helping veterans love later life Brian Sloan, Chief Executive Front cover image: Meg Maine, a 2019 Age Scotland Inspiration Award winner (Group) Welcome to your Spring edition of Advantage. We have plenty of exciting Advantage is the Age Scotland magazine news and updates to share with you so that provides information, inspiration and let’s dive right in. ideas to empower Scotland’s older people, Our fifth National Conference was held in March their friends, families and carers. on the theme of Homes, Health and Happiness. We were delighted to have our biggest attendance yet! You can read all about the day and see a selection of photos on pages four and five. We’re If you have news, events or issues that you would also delighted that the Luminate Festival is back! like Advantage to cover, please get in touch. We As Luminate moves to focus on delivering creative would also welcome ideas on how we might events and activities throughout the year, the improve the magazine. To stop receiving Advantage, festival has moved from October to May. You please just get in touch with us on the details below. can read all about their fantastic line up in their Email: [email protected] brochure. Telephone: 0333 323 2400 I hope you enjoy this edition of Advantage. We’d Write to: Advantage, Age Scotland love to know what you think about the magazine. Causewayside House If you have any projects, stories or campaigns you’d 160 Causewayside like us to help showcase, you can get in touch with Edinburgh EH9 1PR the team behind Advantage by either writing to us at 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR, or emailing [email protected]. ISSN 1747-4515 Advantage is part funded by a grant from the Scottish Government. Age Scotland aims to ensure information is accurate at time of production and cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions, or for the content of any third party advertisements.
Age Scotland, part of the Age Network, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the later lives of everyone on the ageing journey, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland. Registration Number: 153343 Charity Number SC010100. Registered Office: Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR. Brian Sloan 3 news
pert and TV presenter Anita Manning | Profess antiques ex or Rose Gilroy ial guest | Age Sco | Spec tland Ch eakers air Lor he sp d Foul s to t kes stion Que
e Year Eva McKellar and f Volunteer of th riend | Dr Willia ge Well | m Bird MB t Well A E | Dr M rs - Ea elrose hibito Stew ur ex art of o One
land's Je y blankets! | Age Scot nny and Yolanda sp ir emergenc reading t m in the he wor ing gla d abou s look t Body ndee Boos Atte ting B ingo
Manning and Young Volunteer op | Anita of the Year Hol orksh lie Nelson all's w | Age Sco Netb tland C ing hief Ex alk ecutiv W e Brian Sloan
4 More photos at facebook.com/AgeScotland news
2018 was Age Scotland’s 75th anniversary Age Scotland's and through our ‘Speaking Up For Our Age’ project we learned a lot about the fantastic efforts of local and national older people’s s expert and TV presenter Anita Manning | Professor R st antique ose Gilroy | A groups and organisations in Scotland over cial gue ge Scotla fifth National | Spe nd Ch eakers air Lor he sp d Foul the years. Looking back, a number of s to t kes stion Que themes stood out as having been important to older people and continue to matter to us Conference today. These themes – Homes, Health and Happiness – were the topics for discussion at our 2019 National Conference. We were delighted to welcome Age Scotland We broke for a delicious lunch and had a little members and guests to the Radisson Blu in Glasgow unexpected excitement when the fire alarm went for a day of discussion, networking and celebration. off and we had to evacuate! It didn’t dampen our In the morning we had three fascinating spirits though and when we given the all clear by e Year Eva McKellar and f Volunteer of th riend | Dr Willia ge Well | m Bird MB presentations. First, we had Professor Rose Gilroy the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service we returned t Well A E | Dr M rs - Ea elrose hibito Stew from the department of Ageing, Planning and for our afternoon workshops and a browse of the ur ex art of o One Policy at Newcastle University, who shared how our exhibition stalls. housing stock has changed over the years and the The conference culminated in the presentation impact it has on our wellbeing. Professor Gilroy went of the 2019 Age Scotland Awards. The Awards on to say that our housing options should not be recognise and celebrate the exceptional commitment determined by our age and that we need housing and contribution of individuals and organisations that works for all age groups. working to ensure Scotland is a great place to grow We then had Dr William Bird MBE, Founder and old in and we were shown a short film about each Chief Executive of Intelligent Health, who spoke winner. It was wonderful to hear about the fantastic land's Je passionately about the difference being active work going on in communities across Scotland. You y blankets! | Age Scot nny and Yolanda sp ir emergenc reading t m in the he wor makes to your physical and mental health. Dr can watch each of the films on the Age Scotland ing gla d abou s look t Body ndee Boos Bird shared how combining physical activity and website: . Atte ting B www.agescotland.org.uk/awards ingo being socially active can be life-changing and told This year’s awards were presented by special guest us about the role of social prescribing in getting Anita Manning who congratulated our winners on communities active. their efforts and also remarked what an incredible We were then joined by Dr Melrose Stewart, Lecturer energy the wider conference had. at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation This year’s conference was our biggest yet and it Sciences at the University of Birmingham who will be a tough act to follow. We would like to thank shared some heart-warming stories from her work all our members, invited guests and speakers for on the award-winning Channel 4 TV documentary joining us and making it such a fantastic day. ‘Old Peoples Home for 4 Year Olds’. Dr Stewart spoke about how intergenerational practices not We’ve included a small selection of photos on the only encourage empathy and tackle ageism, but opposite page. You can view more photos of the day Manning and Young Volunteer op | Anita of the Year Hol orksh lie Nelson also make a big difference to our wellbeing and by visiting the Age Scotland Facebook page: all's w | Age Sco Netb tland C ing hief Ex encouraged all of us to foster intergenerational www.facebook.com/agescotland. alk ecutiv W e Brian Sloan bonds in our communities.
5 news Consultation matters
Policy Engagement and Campaigns Officer Simon Ritchie spent 2018 consulting older • 1/2 say they’d use public transport more if services people on transport. He reports his findings. ran more frequently, and 1/2 of those living in rural "Is this actually going to change anything?" areas say they’d take the bus if services ran later in the evening. Indeed, several older people who As I toured Scotland asking older people their views cannot drive said they felt under curfew in the on transport, this question came up a lot. Working evenings due to having no transport. with Transport Scotland, I was tasked with making sure older people's interests were accounted for in We now have a much better idea of what older the new National Transport Strategy (NTS). People people think about transport, and what they think had taken part in consultations before, they said, should change. So how will this insight be used? Age S cotland’s Dementia and it never seemed to change anything. However, Forum te Firstly – all our findings have been passed on to am are here to support you as the process went on, and after reflection, I know Transport Scotland in full. Already, many of the policy . the answer: yes, this will change things for the proposals we have put forward have been adopted better. Let me explain. into the draft NTS. From late 2019, the NTS will be Scotland’s population is ageing. The number of people the document that all levels of government should aged 75+ is set to double in the next two decades. refer to whenever they make a transport-related That’s great news – people are living longer, healthier decision. Age Scotland will hold them to it. lives – but as the demographics of our society changes, Secondly – we are using our findings to shape our so too must our infrastructure if it is to remain fit for position on the Scottish Government’s new Transport purpose. If the transport system doesn’t work for Bill, which gives Councils more power to improve local older people, it doesn’t work. Full stop. bus services. So there is broader use for this information. So what works, and what needs to change? And finally – consultation matters because older Through a series of twenty transport workshops in people’s involvement in policy development keeps every corner of Scotland I, and the civil servants government on its toes and older people’s interests I brought with me, learned a great deal. Some on the agenda. findings were not surprising: A huge thank you to all who took part in the 2018 • 2/3 of older people use public buses frequently Age Scotland transport workshops around the • Reliance on cars is more prevalent in rural areas country, and my Community Development team for facilitating the workshops. It’s been worthwhile and • The top three reasons for travelling are shopping, we know that the Scottish Government is listening socialising and attending medical appointments. and acting. If Age Scotland is a vehicle for change, Amongst the more striking findings were that: it’s older people who are in the driving seat. • 1/3 of older people use public transport to commute to voluntary work – offering their For more information please visit valuable time, skills and experience to society www.agescotland.org.uk/transport or contact • 1/3 of older people say they have experienced Simon Ritchie – Policy Engagement & Campaigns difficulty getting to a medical appointment Officer at Age Scotland: 0131 668 8047 or because of transport problems [email protected].
6 Follow us on www.twitter.com/agescotland news
Age S cotland’s National Dementia Forum tea m are here t o support you. dementia forum For those living with dementia a one-size-fits-all approach to support does not always properly take into account the vital aspects of their everyday life responses to them. It will look at how solutions and wellbeing. This needs to change. can be implemented and influence policy makers, key leaders, practitioners and others in Scotland Dementia will touch the lives of most people in so that the needs of people with dementia, their Scotland in one way or another. Whether the families and unpaid carers are met and their lives diagnosis is for a family member, friend, partner or fundamentally transformed for the better. yourself it is important that people have access to the right information, advice, care and opportunities We are currently working with people affected by to live their life the way they want. dementia to develop a new name for the Policy and Practice Forum and will hold the first full meeting in Over the next 20 years, as Scotland’s population June 2019. grows and as people live longer, it is projected that the number of those living with Dementia The Forum now has five years to advance human will increase by around 50% more than 120,000. rights and inclusion for people living with dementia Dementia must become everyone’s business. That is and their unpaid carers and we are incredibly proud how Scotland evolves and ensures how those living that so many wonderful organisations are partnering with dementia live full and rounded lives. with us to deliver this ground-breaking work. Age Scotland has been selected by the Life Changes Trust to support a new national Forum to bring If you want to find out more or get involved together people affected by dementia to determine in the Forum’s work please get in touch with what can be done to make policy and practice in the Dementia team by emailing dementia@ Scotland more robust, sustainable and improve agescotland.org.uk, calling on 0333 323 2400 people’s lives. or writing to them at Age Scotland, Causewayside At the heart of the forum will be people living with House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR. dementia and their unpaid carers. Afterall, who best We will be working to ensure the Forum is open, to shape what is needed than the real experts! inclusive and the voices of those affected by The Forum will determine gaps in policy, practice dementia are heard and acted upon. and research, identify challenges and develop
7 inform
What did the research find? Three key themes emerged on what could be improved to better support older people and their housing needs: integration, communication and community, all of which are intrinsically linked. • Integration – A lack of integration between councils, health and social care providers, service users, and everyone in between leads to confusion, poor management, ineffective strategies and systems. • Communication – Many research participants cited a lack of knowledge about where to turn or who to ask as a reason they hadn’t sought advice in areas land's Housing Policy Offiicer of their lives and homes that they needed help with. Age Scot Eadie, Jim • Community – When considering the role of the home, it’s imperative to consider not just the bricks and mortar of the buildings themselves, but also the external environment those homes are located Housing through in – the surrounding community, support networks, nearby amenities, transport options, and everything the lens of Ageing else that makes people feel part of a community. Age Scotland’s Housing policy lead Jim Eadie said: What role does the home play in “The aim of this research was to better understand older people’s quality of life, and how the unmet needs of older people and to help can we better prepare for and meet housing providers supply the improvements, the housing needs of older people in adaptations and services older people truly need and want. Helping older people to live independently Scotland? Age Scotland and the and safely in their own homes for as long as possible University of Stirling worked directly is rightly a key focus of Scottish Government policy with older people to find out. on housing and support services. We found simple, preventative services such as fitting a new key safe Through a roadshow of consultation events across to allow carers to enter a home, adding hand rails Scotland involving hundreds of older people, a or raising electric sockets, for example, had a huge national survey of over 400 respondents and using impact on an older person’s quality of life”. input from community researchers, hundreds of older people had their say. What happens next? Through this engagement older people were able Age Scotland intends to highlight and disseminate to share what they believed contributes to a more the key recommendations covering: health and enjoyable life in older age, the role the home plays social care integration, strategic planning, new build in that, and what needs to change to meet the older housing, adaptations, information and advice, energy population’s housing needs. In March Age Scotland efficiency and fuel poverty and preventative support. launched Housing through the lens of Ageing: Integration, Communication and Community To find out more or if you would like to take while in January a Scottish Parliamentary debate, part in future research contact Jim Eadie: previewed the key findings. [email protected].
8 Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400 inform
WARM AND WELL – AND SAVING MONEY!
The more things change, the more things can’t. This will give you hands on experience with stay the same. This parable could be true them, so you know how they work before one is installed in your home. If you have one already, we’ll of many things, but the way in which we talk you through how to make the most of it. use gas and electricity in our home is definitely an exception to this rule. Long gone are the days when we got our gas from the gas board and our electricity from the electric Age Scotland’s Warm and Well sessions offer free board. A recent report said that there were as many advice to member groups regarding what older as sixty different energy suppliers in the UK and people could be entitled to, to help them with their this amount fluctuates as new companies join the energy bills throughout the year. Sessions are free market place and some fall into administration. to Age Scotland members, and are held where you There are often changes in the price we pay on our would normally meet as a group. They typically last energy bills as well. In April, most energy suppliers one hour with plenty of time for questions and chat. increased the cost of their energy by up to 10% as a Many people are unaware of help that is available price cap was lifted. for older people such as the Warm Homes Discount, So, how do we know who is best and, maybe more Cold Weather Payments and the Winter Fuel importantly, cheaper in the long run? It is said that Allowance. Warm and Well will be able to give your you can save £300 a year through switching tariff, group information on these payments, whether so the big question is should I stay, or should I go? you're eligible and how much you could be We’ll be looking at easy way to find out if you’re on entitled to. the right tariff and how to lower your bills and keep It also takes an extensive look into more modern them low. technologies. Smart Meters are being introduced to homes across the country and are designed to give us more control over our energy use, revolutionising To book in a Warm and Well session the way in which energy is distributed through the please contact Age Scotland’s network and can also help us save money on our Energy Rights Officer Callum Boath: fuel bills. However, there is also a learning curve with all new technologies, and we’ll be looking at how Tel: 07427 684 775 or we can get to grips with and make savings from this Email: [email protected] technology. We will have two smart meters to bring out to show groups what they can do and what they
9 Get Involved
Coming soon: Luminate Festival 2019 WED 1st – FRI 31st MAY Try your hand at creative activities in your area, or attend a Festival performance, exhibition, screening or talk – there’s something for everyone nationwide!
Chance to Dance Director of Luminate © Eoin Carey Four Questions with © Sid Sco llacher, tt | A Craft ne Ga Café works An Luminate Director Anne Gallacher: hop in Govan
Why do we need a What are you most looking forward creative ageing festival? to about this year’s Festival? Older people are very active in Scotland’s vibrant The Festival month is a real privilege for me. I am cultural life, and there are some wonderful arts lucky enough to travel around Scotland attending projects and groups all over the country. The Festival lots of Festival events, and meeting the people was set up to showcase this inspiring creative work who organise them as well as those who attend – you can attend performances and exhibitions of as audiences or participants. I am really looking work by older people, or take part in a workshop forward to my travels and to the activities I will have where you can try your hand at something new. the chance to take part in. Particular achievements We also have a growing strand of dementia friendly in past years have been learning to crochet and events. The Festival celebrates older people’s learning to do a quickstep, neither of which I could creativity in its many forms across the country, and do till I started in this job! I don’t know yet what we hope it will inspire more older people to take my new skills from the 2019 Festival will be, but I’m part in arts activities not only during May but also at looking forward to finding out! other times of year. What creative thing What can we expect do you love to do? to see in 2019’s Festival? I have sung in choirs since I was in my teens, and Every year the programme is really diverse. This it’s still something I love doing. There’s something year you can try clog dancing in Edinburgh; visit an very uplifting about singing in a group of people, exhibition by older artists in Easterhouse; join our and I have made many good friends along the way. massed community singing event in Aberdeen; take For the last five years I have sung in the Scottish part in a dementia friendly art workshop in Ullapool; Chamber Orchestra Chorus, and we have a busy or attend a social dance event for older LGBTI concert programme across the year. people in Glasgow or Inverness. There’s also a film tour featuring some great films with ageing Find your Festival brochure themes. This is just a flavour of what’s on offer, and with this month’s Advantage. we hope there’s something for everyone! Here’s a preview of some of the best of the fest this May . . .
10 Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400 Get Involved
Chance to Dance © Sid Sco tt | A Craft Café works hop in Govan Festival highlights Eileanach // Feamainn & Film Mon 20 – Wed 22 and Fri 24 May, various times. Art Adventures in Nature Free but booking essential Sun 26 May 2pm – 4pm. Free A week-long programme of events for older people Share in this gentle journey, nestled in the home's exploring the beauty of the Island of Skye, its local gardens and enjoy an immersive sensory experience people, cuisine and landscapes. Includes cookery into the natural world; meet all the artists and explore classes, conversations where you’re invited to share the Art Adventures studio. A showcase of artwork your memories of the island and an archive of short created by residents of Erskine Care Home Edinburgh films made in Skye. in collaboration with Luminate and Erskine Artists in Lisigarry Court, Portree. 01478 611 143. Resident Gill White and James Winnett. Refreshments will be served. Part of Unforgotten Chance to Dance Forces, supporting older veterans in Scotland. Thu 16 May 10.45am – 3.30pm. Free. booking essential Erskine Edinburgh Care Home, 468 Gilmerton Road. A dance workshop day for older people in 0131 672 2558 / www.erskine.org.uk. Aberdeenshire. Come and try something new in a Give Voice, Give Stories: Storytelling with relaxed and friendly environment. The event offers a chance to work with a guest choreographer, and Jean Edmiston and Susie Howie to create a short piece of dance during the day. No Sat 4 May 1.30pm – 2.30pm. Free but ticketed previous experience required! Choreographers: Ruth For the past five years, storytellers Jean Edmiston Kent and Sheena Byrne. Lunch provided! and Susie Howie have been working in care homes Macduff, Aberdeenshire. 01467 537476. in Dumfries & Galloway as part of Wigtown Festival Company’s Give Voice project. Come and join them to Craft Café Govan: Colour Workshop hear some favourite stories and experiences gathered Tue 14 May 10am – 4pm. Free over the years through Give Voice, including folklore, fairy tales, poems, songs and stories of place. Join the Craft Café for a one-day workshop exploring the theme of COLOUR. This creative workshop will The Print Room, New Road, Wigtown. 01988 402036. explore the positive effects of colour, including colour mixing and colour theory. All older people are welcomed, whatever your skills or experience. Find out more about the Luminate Festival All materials provided, and tea, fruit and biscuits. 2019 at luminatescotland.org. 82 Elderpark Street, Glasgow. 0141 575 3001. 11 Helpline
We're here L: Age Scotland Helpline Adviser Rachel R: Minister for Older People Christina McKelvie, Brian Sloa n and Laura S to help! tenhouse Activities included listening to some of our helpline Our Age Scotland Helpline is the flagship advice and community connecting calls. These visits have service for Scotland’s older people to help with any played a key part in raising awareness of what we challenges they may face. Our friendly advisers do and how we can help older people to access can give guidance and support on a range of topics more information on welfare benefits and their including welfare rights and benefits. Recently the entitlements. Last year we helped older people to Helpline have seen an increase in the volume of claim over half a million pounds in benefits that calls from older people phoning to have a thorough otherwise would have remained unclaimed. benefits check carried out. Our knowledgeable With the recent changes affecting mixed age couples advisers will accurately calculate entitlements and and when they can claim pensions credit, we have can explain how to access the funds. seen an influx in calls requesting benefit checks. Our adviser, Rachel, recently helped a caller who If you think you may be entitled or know someone lives on their own in a private rental property. This that might be, then please call our helpline on caller is of state pension age and was informed that 0800 12 44 222 for a thorough benefit check. they were entitled to gain £90 per week of housing Our Community Connecting service supported benefit that they hadn't been claiming. The caller within the Helpline continues to help older people will also get this entitlement backdated and so will to get involved in lunch clubs and social activities receive a lump sum to help her. The caller was delighted in their local area. Our Community Connecting with our service and Rachel was happy to help. volunteers are working towards combatting Recently the Helpline and Community Connecting loneliness and isolation enabling older people to teams welcomed many visitors through our doors explore interests and take up new hobbies. including parliamentary MPs such as Ian Murray and Please call our Helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for any Christine Jardine as well as MSPs Christina McKelvie, advice you or someone you know may need while (Minister for Older People) and Alison Johnstone. facing life's challenges. We’re here to help.
12 Call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 Helpline
BENEFIT AND March 2019
SOCIAL SECURITY Benefi ts Maze
A guide to claiming social security benefits and grants UPDATE for older people in Scotland Age Scotland’s publications help older people, their carers and families to find the information they need in later life. Benefits information and advice can be a particular minefield as the already complex system of benefits and social security keeps changing. Over the past year our benefits and pension changes guide has needed almost monthly L: Age Scotland Helpline Adviser Rachel updates as changes were announced or introduced. Older People Christina McKelv R: Minister for ie, Brian Sloan and L aura Stenh If you have not checked your entitlement to ouse Assistance will replace the social fund funeral benefits for a while, it’s a good idea to call the Age payment for people claiming means tested benefits Scotland helpline for a benefits check or have a look (including Pension Credit) who need help with the at our information guides – you can order copies costs of a funeral. through the helpline 0800 12 44 222, through [email protected] or download Social Security Scotland’s Charter has been them on our website www.agescotland.org.uk. developed by people with experience of claiming benefits and clearly sets out how people can expect Benefit changes you might to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect as want to look out for are: they claim their entitlements. For information about the new agency see their · Further increases in State Pension age – this is website www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/ or call the now 65 and 3 months for both men and women Age Scotland helpline for more information. and is increasing every month during 2019. It will be 66 by October 2020 then 67 by 2028. Devolved welfare powers · Changes to Pension Credit for couples - from Within the next two years the Scottish Government 15th May 2019 both members of a couple need will be deciding how best to use its powers over to be State Pension age before they can make a disability related benefits including Attendance new claim for Pension Credit – some couples will Allowance and the winter fuel and cold weather be significantly worse off under the new rules. This payments which many older people receive – watch is linked to the rollout of Universal Credit and will this space for more information. affect some claims for housing benefit too. Social Security Scotland. Benefits and social ·security legislation used to be decided by Call the Age Scotland Westminster but as the Scottish Government starts helpline for free on to use its new welfare powers new payments are 0800 12 44 222 being made in Scotland. From summer 2018 people (Monday to Friday 9 – 5). in Scotland who receive Carers Allowance are being We’re here to help. paid Carers Allowance Supplement to top up their income to the same income level as someone who is unemployed. From summer 2019 Funeral Expenses
13 Get Involved
Stay Connected!
r Young, ber of Foreve a mem essi, ar! N er 1500 hats so f itted ov has kn
Striped, spotty, glittery…it’s that time of year again Forever Young’s group coordinator is Sally Logan. where we receive bags full of little woollen hats of Sally’s mother is a member of the group, joining all shapes, sizes and colours. Yes, that’s right – the last year after suffering a stroke. For those living on Big Knit is back! We have already received close to their own in sheltered accommodation, groups like 20,000 hats and are so grateful to everyone who has Forever Young give them the chance to socialise taken part in the campaign so far. The final deadline and reduce feelings of isolation. Sally told us that is the 31st July 2019 so we are really excited to see knitting hats for the Big Knit gave her mum focus what other wonderful creations we receive! and stopped her from sitting in on her own. Many of our ‘Big Knit knitters’ are Age Scotland Think about it this way, would you want to spend member groups and we’d like to shine a spotlight most of your time sitting alone in your room or on them and the amazing things they do. One of would you rather have a wee blether with Mary from these member groups is Forever Young, based in three doors down about who got kicked out the Renfrewshire. It is a sheltered housing group that does Rovers Return this week? We’re sure it’s the latter a wide variety of activities such as keep fit, coffee so, if you knit or know anyone who does please get mornings and of course, knitting! Residents have involved with this year’s Big Knit Campaign! You can been meeting over a cup of coffee and nattering have a chat and a cuppa while making some lovely away while creating some beautiful designs. little hats that will ultimately help support groups Last year the group knitted over 2000 hats for like Forever Young across Scotland. the campaign, with many residents becoming Find out more about the Big Knit on the Age competitive over who could knit the most! This Scotland website at www.agescotland.org.uk. year they are back it again, having already knitted a If you know anyone in the Renfrewshire area fabulous 1900 hats, with the aim to knit over 3000! who would like to join Forever Young, contact If the competitive streak of the resident’s is similar them on 01505 328864 or email Sally: to last year, we are sure they will smash that target. [email protected].
14 Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400 Get Involved
Stay Mobile Stay Connected!
We hear from Age Scotland Member Our assertion is that if we want to tackle the Group Roar on their latest campaign. growing problem of loneliness and isolation in older age then we have to start investing in strategies At a time when the public purse strings are that enable people to stay on their feet and get out tightening, we spend £1.3 million pounds every into their communities and have worthwhile places day treating older people who have suffered to go to meet up with others. falls and health damaging loneliness - conditions which could have been prevented. Stay Mobile Stay Connected is also a service model that we deliver in Renfrewshire, where Roar is Not only is this scandalous in these days of austerity, based. The key to helping someone to stay or regain what’s even more shocking is many thousands physical, social, cognitive, digital and logistical more older people will become imprisoned in their mobility is to understand what issues they are own homes as a result of the failure to invest in facing in their lives and to find what purpose they community safety and early intervention. feel will help them find the motivation to keep going. Stay Mobile Stay Connected is a national campaign The support is designed around the person designed by people in their 70s, 80s and 90s and within the scope of what we can deliver or help supported by a group of professionals to change the them access. This includes evidence-based falls attitudes of politicians, the public and their peers. prevention assessments and exercises, toenail Don’t Let Your World Shrink Down To A Chair is one cutting clinics and a wide spread of social activities. of the animations the older people have produced, Looking at the bigger picture, as a society we highlighting the fact that with early intervention, help need a massive shift in public funding. We need and on-going encouragement, becoming housebound to invest in things like the transport system, street can be avoided, or at least significantly delayed. lighting and maintenance, access to public spaces National policies aim to keep older people at home or for communities to meet, funding for community in a homely setting. However we think the ambition projects to tackle social isolation, and we need should include keeping them in their communities. a change in public and professional attitudes. As another animation highlights, Prevention Is Better We live in a society where increasing numbers of Than Cure…and Cheaper. We love our NHS but we people live alone and ‘half of people over 75 say need to recognise that not every aspect of life is their main form of company is their telly or pet’. best tackled with a medical solution. What if we could help people to become more mobile and connected so they don’t solely rely on people coming to them? The good news is – we can! 15 Get Involved
Lets Walk twist like a again crustacean
Use support as needed. Twist as much as you are able to. Use support as needed. Embrace you inner crab! On one leg if you can. PocketTall posture, Game knees soft. Take three side steps And twisting down if you can. to the right with a little bounce. Take three side steps to the left. When confi dent, bring in your Seated trunk twist. Sit tall on front third of chair. arms to resemble crab pincers. Feet shoulder width apart. Place left hand behind you on back of chair. Place right hand on Sit tall on front third of chair. Feet hip width. opposite knee. Turn to look over left shoulder. Take one step to side and back. Repeat on the opposite side. Repeat other side. When confi dent, bring in your arms to resemble crab pincers. Walk Lift some the line weights
Use support as needed - a row of three chairs is good or a long counter top. Tall posture, knees Use support as needed. Tall posture, tummy soft. Walk heel to toe along row of chairs. At the in, feet hip-width apart. Hold elbows into sides. end, turn towards your chair until facing other Forearms out, hands in loose fi sts. Bring hands direction and walk back along the row of chairs. up towards shoulders and squeeze to work those muscles in your upper arms. Sit tall on front third of chair. 14 body boosting bingo Take feet back slightly under you. Sit tall on front third of chair. Hold elbows into Take three half steps forward and three half body boosting bingo 15 sides. Forearms out, hands in loose fi sts. Bring steps back. hands up towards shoulders and squeeze to work those muscles in your upper arms.
13 taking part in Bod body boosting bingo om Glasgow y Boosting Love fr Bingo ie body boosting bingo Ann 12
How to play BODY BOOSTING Each game randomly generates the bingo numbers. Every number comes with a specific movement set BINGO: AT HOME to music that you can do in your chair or standing up. You must complete the exercise before you mark OR ON THE GO the number off your bingo sheet. Through the years, we’ve shared Body Boosting This unique twist to exercise, created by Age Bingo with Age Scotland member groups and Scotland, is all about having fun with others while community groups around Scotland but we wanted staying active. The experience is made even richer to create a more accessible product that our by our Allied Health Professionals, Jenny Ackland members could enjoy at any time or place. and Yolanda Strachan, who lead the sessions with their humor and encouragement. Take part for free Jenny Ackland said, “It’s important to see mobility We have three new versions of the game: a DVD, as fun and play. When we enjoy what we do, we’re digital download and a pocket game. So no matter more likely to make time for it in our daily life. where you are, you can play with your community Strength and balance is in everyone’s reach. If you group, family, friends, carer or at home by yourself. can move and get out – it can change your world.” The DVD and digital download include videos of Why it’s important our Allied Health Professionals demonstrating the seated and standing exercises so that you can follow At Age Scotland, we believe strength and mobility is along. The pocket game comes with easy-to-follow within everyone’s grasp. Maintaining strength and instructions on both the seated and standing versions, balance as you age is vital to help you avoid falls and a 30-sided die to generate a number for you. and frailty in later life. Activities like Body Boosting We’re offering these new versions of Body Boosting Bingo help you maintain an active and mobile life. Bingo for free to all Age Scotland members. Phone our helpline on 0800 12 44 222 to have a DVD, digital download or pocket game sent to you.
16 Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400 Get Involved
FINDING YOUR CREATIVE OUTLET IN LATER LIFE Creativity is not just for the young. More and more people are discovering new creative hobbies and interests in later life. In her guest article, Advantage reader
Barbara Tropp shares with us how she Barbara Tropp discovered her passion for creative writing. It was in 2008, aged 63, when I began to write. The website www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/ To be precise, the month was October, after I had centreforlifelonglearning/ provides lots more discovered that my husband was a pathological liar information. The Office number is0141 548 2116. and a man without a conscience. My marriage of seven years had been a sham. In 2012 I enrolled in a Poetry Class. This was a very important milestone in my writing as I was in a For many years before I had been talking to friends creative environment, sharing my poetry, listening about wanting to write a book but did not have a to others and getting feedback. Two years later I subject. Now I had one, and I began to write. 'My enrolled in a Creative Writing Class where I began Gorgeous Wee Wife: An Unbelievable Marriage' was to write short pieces of prose. A further, very the title I chose for my memoir. I have always loved important step in the development of my writing words and I revelled in choosing just the right one and increasing self-confidence. and watching my book grow. I had discovered the sheer joy of being creative; being totally immersed Recently I joined a newly formed Creative Writing in the process of writing and loving it. Club, one of the 16 Clubs under the aegis of the Learning in Later Life Students’ Association (3Ls), Four years later I began to write poetry; a totally which will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary during out of the blue moment. It was a gathering force 2018/2019. More information about the Association within me, providing infinite pleasure. This discovery can be found at: 3ls.website. There are currently in later life amazed me and added so much to my 1200 members. being. However, I realised that in order to develop I would need to be in a creative environment with I am a devotee of the Learning in Later Life Classes like-minded people. and a staunch member of the Learning in Later Life Students’ Association. Both continue to enhance My first encounter with the University of Strathclyde and enrich my life. I look forward to keeping my was in 2005, when I retired, and I enrolled in some creative essence alive in a nurturing environment classes from the Daytime Programme in the Centre and many more years of learning, socialising, and a for Lifelong Learning. This was one of the obvious deep feeling of well-being. things to do in retirement as I enjoyed learning. I had chosen well. The Programme is aimed at those aged over 50 If you’d like to try a new hobby, the Age Scotland and is unique in Scotland. There is a huge variety Community Connecting service can help you find of classes ranging from Creative Art to Wine out what’s on in your local area. Call us for free on Appreciation; Genealogy to Modern Languages; 0800 12 44 222 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm). History to Literature; the list seems endless.
17 Get Involved Age Co Products and Services
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Age Co Home, Car and Travel Insurance are administered by Ageas Retail Limited. Age Co Funeral Plans are provided by Advance Planning Limited, a subsidiary of Dignity plc. Age Co Legal Services offers legal advice and support through Irwin Mitchell LLP. Age Co Equity Release Advice Service is provided by HUB Financial Solutions Limited, and available to those aged 55+. Age Co Home, Car and Travel Insurance were previously sold under the trading name Age UK Home, Car and Travel Insurance. Age Co Funeral Plans, Age Co Legal Services and The Age Co Equity Release Advice Service were previously sold under the trading name Age UK Funeral Plans, Age UK Legal Services and The Age UK Equity Release Advice Service. Age Co insurance and Equity Release products are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Age UK Enterprises Limited trades under the trading name Age Co. Age UK Enterprises Limited is a trading subsidiary company of Age UK (registered charity, no. 1128267) and donates its net profits to Age UK. Products offered by Age Co Insurance Services are arranged by Age UK Enterprises Limited and arranged and administered by Ageas Retail Limited, both of which are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Age UK Enterprises Limited Registered office: Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9NA. Registered in England and Wales 3156159. ACOSE2945V1APR19
18 Member Group Spotlight
N Ripple an and B etty - reg ular Ripple attendees | The Ripple hos ts Musical Afternoons Lochend, Edinburgh
When we arrive at the Ripple Project , around 40 difference to her life to be able to come and older people are singing and dancing along to a Tom volunteer with the Ripple. She told us enthusiastically Jones classic. Performer Liz - a regular act at the about how she likes chatting with the ‘older, older Ripple and favourite among attendees –cracks jokes folk’ and how she actively encourages people to get between songs and after a few more tunes and a big involved, particularly those who may be more applause, everyone makes their way through to the hesitant or shy when they first come along. café. Tea and coffee orders are noted, friends help those less mobile among them into their seats and We also spoke to Nan and Betty (pictured above) the chatter gets louder as everyone settles in. who are Friday club regulars. These ladies first came along to the Ripple after hearing about it from This is the Friday Club and they come together – a friend and say they’ve never looked back. “We you’ve guessed it – every Friday to have a blether look forward to it every week. Everyone here is so and take part in the social activities put on that friendly” says Nan. “It’s changed my life, couldn’t do week. This Friday was a ‘Musical Afternoon’ but it without it now,” Betty added. “We are old, but we there’s a whole range of things on offer from craft don’t class ourselves as old, long may we be able to workshops to computer classes to day trips out. come. It’s given me a new outlook on life.” The Friday Club is just one of the great services Following plenty of tea and biscuits, the raffle kicked offered by the Ripple. Based at the Lochend off. After a few numbers were called one lady shouted, Community Hub in Edinburgh, there is a wide range “yer no shaking the bag enough, aw they tickets are of projects for young and old, all designed to help high numbers!” Her heckling seemed to pay off as local people to help themselves. All activities have two turns later she won a pair of brand-new fluffy been developed in response to the issues faced by slippers! Every winner was applauded enthusiastically. the local community, supporting people to socialise, try new things and get more active. There is a real sense of community and friendship at the Ripple and it was a pleasure to find out Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Ripple and, more about the positive impact they are having in alongside a small staff team, they support the delivery Lochend, Restalrig and Craigentinny. of the projects. We spoke to Moira who has been a volunteer at the Ripple for five years. Not long after Find out more about the Ripple on their website her husband passed, Moira popped in for a coffee rippleproject.co.uk or calling 0131 554 0422. one morning and was encouraged to volunteer. Initially just helping out in the café, Moira is now Would you like us to do a spotlight on your involved with the lunch club, a computer class and member group? Get in touch! Just email even some of the entertainment. She is known for her [email protected] dressing up, having starred as both Marilyn Monroe or call us on 0333 32 32 400. and Shirley Bassey! Moira told us it has made a huge 19 Get Involved
Men’s Shed in Scotland: demonstrating their impact
Age Scotland have been working in partnership providing positive views of ageing and later life. Public with: the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association, Glasgow bodies, particularly local authorities, were encouraged Caledonian University, Community Ownership Support to consider transferring their empty or underutilised Service and the Scottish Government’s Community buildings to men’s sheds. The shedders have a rich Empowerment Team. Together we have delivered and varied skill set and a wide network of contacts events to key players in community empowerment. at their disposal. The shedders’ problem-solving skills The workshops helped to evidence how men’s sheds and solutions-focussed way of working coupled with are enabling local authorities to deliver Scottish their building, engineering and construction skills Government National Outcomes including: makes them uniquely placed to maintain the fabric of • Environmental sustainability public buildings. These properties can then be turned into dynamic and valuable resources for the community. • Equalities Local authorities can build on the human and social • Inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe communities assets within sheds by providing physical assets, in • Lifelong and life wide learning the form of premises. These can be signed over to be • Cultural creativity and diversity owned or leased by men’s sheds at a peppercorn • Healthy and active citizens rent. This support recognises that men’s sheds bring social value to their communities. Research from the The public and voluntary sector leaders came away Scottish Men’s Shed Association shows that for every with a greater recognition of the difference men’s £1 spent on the Westhill Men’s Shed in Aberdeenshire sheds are making in tackling loneliness and isolation; there was a return of £9.34 in terms of health and helping older people be as well as they can be; and social care and community learning outcomes. The event was hosted in the West of Scotland by Barrhead Men’s Shed; in the East by the Men of Leith Men’s Shed; and in the South by Moffat Men’s Shed. In November and January, Barrhead and Macmerry Men’s Sheds celebrated their fifth anniversaries with birthday cake and the screening of films Age Scotland made to show the impact the sheds are having on shedders, their families and their community. The films were produced as part of There’s lots going on at the Barrhead Men’s Shed! Age Scotland’s Scottish Government Equality Fund project - The Shed Effect: Multiplying the effect of Men’s Sheds in Scotland; and, the Charity’s Heritage Lottery Fund project –Speaking Up for Our Age, which celebrates the history and development of national and local older people’s groups and organisations in Scotland, 1943-2018. The films can be viewed on the Age Scotland website at www.agescotland.org.uk. South Scotland Regional event at Moffat Town Hall
20 Join us on www.facebook.com/agescotland Get Involved
Introducing Graham Reece, Age Scotland Regional Ambassador
My name is Graham Reece. I have been an Age Scotland Regional Ambassador for 3 years and I enjoy it immensely. I find it especially rewarding visiting the member groups in the areas I cover which is Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Falkirk, commonly known as the Forth Valley. I was later involved in the panel choosing the In October last year I was both surprised and winners of the 2019 Age Scotland Awards. I was honoured to be asked to become the chairman of delighted to celebrate their efforts at the National Age Scotland's Membership Steering Committee Conference in Glasgow on 20th March, along with (MSC) - a daunting prospect when considering the other Age Scotland members and invited guests. past holders of the position and that the post entails Apart from my role with Age Scotland I am a board joining Age Scotland's Charity Board and becoming member and trustee of Clackmannanshire Third a trustee of the charity. Sector Interface and chairman of Clackmannanshire One of my first jobs as Chairman was to help choose Community Transport Association. I am a member the recipients of the Age Scotland Festive Grants of Clackmannanshire Older Adult Forum as well as programme along with Jeanette Pieper, a fellow Age Clackmannanshire Dementia Forum and sit in on the Scotland Regional Ambassador. We were delighted meetings of the Health and Social care Integrated to be able to provide assistance to members in Joint Board. Glasgow and Edinburgh organising something One of the things I am involved in which gives me special for older people at Christmas time. great satisfaction is the Forth Valley Men's Shed. The care and dedication of the people and It's so rewarding seeing the difference it can make organisations involved in organising the events is to guys’ lives after retirement or bereavement just just outstanding. One of the groups we awarded talking to other guys, enjoying a laugh and working funding to was The Prentice Centre Happy Club in on projects they never thought they could do. Granton, Edinburgh. Around 30 people attended I’d be glad to have a chat with any member who is the party which started with Christmas lunch being interesting in becoming an Age Scotland Regional served by catering students from Craigroyston High Ambassador. School. The students also provided homemade mince pies and shortbread which they had made earlier that day. After lunch there was music and You can get in touch with Graham entertainment and a visit from Santa. A few of the via Age Scotland: 0333 323 2400 members could not attend due to ill health but the following week they were visited with some gifts to [email protected] ensure they still felt part of the Happy Club.
21 Recognising the impact of older people’s groups
West Lothian 50+ Network highly commended!
Age Scotland recently recognised the impact and West Lothian 50+ Walking Group accomplishments of the West Lothian 50+ Network at the top of Arthur’s Seat over the last 25 years. Originally established 25 years ago, with just 33 members they have grown exponentially and now have 38 activity groups and have over 400 members, right across West Lothian. The origins of the network are rooted in 1993, the With so much going on, the network’s committee of year that the European Parliament designated 12 are permanently, busy and life is not without its the “Year of the Elderly and of Solidarity between challenges. Managing and funding an organisation Generations”. At that time, current network Vice this size is no easy task, but with the committee and Chair Jim Dixon was a community worker with West group volunteers dedicating their time and expertise Lothian Council and together with a colleague he for free the network has an immense impact on the was asked to set up a local project involved in taking residents of West Lothian. a group of people aged over 50 to the European Regularly surveying their members, feedback from Parliament in Strasburg. The whole experience network participants shows just how important the proved so successful that 33 of the representatives network’s role is. One participant said “A few years decided to stay in touch and a network of older ago I was not in a good place, I had lost a number people’s organisations in West Lothian was born. of friends and family and was pretty lonely. A friend With 38 groups including Sing & Swing, the Ukelele suggested I join the 50+ Network, now I would not group, the Weekenders, Nattering Needles, Mah Jong like a life without it!” and Book and Blether there is literally something for The network recently lost its funding from West everyone! In addition, the network organise a monthly Lothian Council however, Anne Webster, Network meeting for all members, day trips, holidays, concerts, Convenor, remains upbeat and says that this dinners and other events throughout the year. was just one more challenge to overcome and This year will be especially busy, with birthday they would just have to work harder at sourcing celebrations including a 5 day city break to Seville, alternative funds. day outings, taking part in the Bathgate Procession, tree planting as part of the Bathgate Beautiful Scheme and a host of other activities.
22 Join us on www.facebook.com/agescotland In Communities
Hurlford Age Concern committee receiving commendation certificate
Never mind the weather…. On a Wednesday afternoon, as the clock strikes In response the group set up the summer club, 1.45pm the sing a long starts. Every week between which sees outings and dinners organised during 100 and 125 older people come together at Hurlford these months for members to come together. An Age Concern to enjoy an afternoon of socialising Annual Blackpool holiday also sees 60 members and entertainment with their friends. Formed in have the opportunity to enjoy a week of fun and 1989 the group provides its 164 members with allows those who wouldn’t be able to go on holiday a weekly socialising opportunity, annual outings, themselves the opportunity to do so with friends. trips to the pantomime, quarterly dinners, tea club, Age Scotland recently recognised knitting, indoor bowling and much much more. Age Concern Hulford for their Running for 44 weeks of the year the group services to older people provide something different every week to Running for over the last twenty ensure that the needs of their members years. are met. Two years ago, the committee 44 weeks of the were approached by members and year the group asked to provide some activities during the summer months when the group provide something was normally closed. Many members different every week to shared that they missed the groups' activities and were feeling ensure that the needs increasingly lonely. of their members are met.
23 inform
How together we’re helping older veterans to love later life
This summer Age Scotland’s Veterans’ Project, and the Unforgotten Forces partnership to which it belongs, will be two years old. Collectively we’ve clocked-up almost 6000 instances of support for older veterans and their families. Here are some highlights. Partnership-working has enabled us to publish a Between January 2018 and end February 2019 the suite of advice guides. For instance our Combating Age Scotland helpline took enquiries from 1247 older Sight and Hearing Loss guide, which informs older veterans and 437 older veterans’ dependants. We veterans about the signs of sensory loss and ran benefits checks for many, identifying a total of available support, was only possible thanks to the £84,905 in unclaimed entitlements. expertise of Action on Hearing Loss Scotland and Scottish War Blinded. Our guides are available free Unforgotten Forces pledges that a veteran approaching from the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222, any one partner can access support from them all or by email at [email protected]. without having to tell their story twice. So when Tom*, a veteran in his nineties, contacted the helpline with The Veterans’ Project also spreads the word about a complex enquiry we were able to draw on strong Unforgotten Forces and how together partners links we have formed with our Unforgotten Forces can help older veterans and their dependants. partners and other veterans’ organisations. Such as the four Russian Arctic Convoys veterans, all in their nineties, who had a three-day trip to Tom had previously read and enjoyed our Veterans’ Gairloch for a commemoration ceremony funded by Guide to Later Life in Scotland. Prompted by an advert Poppyscotland’s Break Away service, with transport in his local paper he called to request a copy of our courtesy of Fares4Free. And the veteran with a new Housing for Older Veterans in Scotland guide. temporary visual impairment whose wife, having a He had wanted to move house for some time. He felt degenerative neurological condition, faced problems isolated and wanted to be around more people, ideally supporting him in hospital. SSAFA and Fares4Free other veterans, but money and some mental health took care of transport to hospital, Defence Medical issues had made him believe it wasn’t possible. Welfare Service, provided one-to-one support during Following excellent advice from Poppyscotland, we and after treatment, and Poppyscotland arranged a referred Tom to SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, holiday for the couple on his return home. to look at ways to fund practical help with a house Around one in ten people in Scotland belong to move. Legion Scotland is putting in place support the veterans’ community, and two thirds of adults volunteer visits to address his feelings of isolation, within it are aged 65 and older. That’s a huge and Veterans First Point will help him explore his number of people entitled to, but often missing housing options, ensure his mental health needs out on, extra help for challenges later life can bring. are met, and provide additional social opportunities. To find out more you can call the Age Scotland Tom was grateful for our help and feels much more helpline on 0800 12 44 222 or visit positive about his situation. www.agescotland.org.uk/veterans. *Names have been changed
24 Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400 inform
Update from our Early Stage Dementia team
We’re delighted that our Dementia Awareness • Access to information regarding opportunities Workshops have remained popular, with our team to volunteer and be involved in intergenerational delivering more than 60 sessions to over 750 people activities. since October last year. If you would like your group • Information that was accessible in appropriate to receive a free dementia awareness workshop, formats, e.g. larger font. please do get in touch using the details below. We are pleased to announce that we have We have also been doing a lot of work around what produced a toolkit and a board game based on our makes a community age and dementia inclusive. findings. The toolkit gives guidance on what you This project saw us working in partnership with a can do to make your community more inclusive. number of Age Scotland member groups, dementia The board game is available exclusively to Age friendly communities and the broader older Scotland members and provides a fun, interactive population. Many issues were of equal importance way of discussing your local community and how to older people and to people affected by dementia. to take action when faced with challenges in One of the main underlying themes that cut across your community. We have created this game to age and dementia communities and our findings encourage people to have conversations about their was accessibility. This included: community, about what you like and don’t like, and • Accessible transport to enable people to attend start a discussion about how you can make our appointments or go out in the evening. communities more age and dementia inclusive. • Having enough benches in public spaces to enable If you would like to receive a copy of the game and people to comfortably and safely enjoy their local report please do get in touch on 0333 32 32 400 outside spaces. or email [email protected].
• Limited accessibility to services due to closures Photo: our Age and Dementia Inclusive Board Game of public toilets, banks and post offices. available is available to Age Scotland members
25 fundraising
Where our fund- raised income Corporate Partners Support from organisations is growing. They’re contributing in a number of ways – donating a comes from proportion of their annual profits; adopting us as their charity of the year; fundraising through staff- Gifts in Wills led events (some with match funding); sponsoring awards at our national conference; offering public Enormous gratitude is owed to the many individuals collection-can opportunities; and highlighting our who’ve left gifts in their Wills to Age Scotland – charitable services to their staff and customers. marking their belief in our work. Over £1 million We’d like to acknowledge recent support from per year has been gifted in recent years. But it’s Autumn Voices · BNP Paribas · Brodies LLP · obviously not a dependable income source which is Congregational Federation Scotland · Department why we need to build others, below. of Work and Pensions · Dollar Academy · Edinburgh Airport · Effingee Productions · Hermia Community Public and Private Funders Energy · Ineous Power Station · Morton Fraser · Trusts, Foundations, Scottish Government and other National Theatre of Scotland · Oakhouse Foods · public funders enable impactful work to take place, Peak Scientific · Ross and Liddell · Royal Bank of enriching older people’s lives. Their financial support, Scotland · Sainsburys · Santander · Scottish Indoor and belief in our ability to deliver, means that we’re Bowling Association · Scottish Water · Solicitors for meeting needs in many ways, most recently in the Older People · Solicitors for the Elderly · St Margaret’s areas of Independent Living, Age Inclusion at Work School for Girls, Aberdeen · Total · Turcan Connell · and Dementia Awareness and Inclusion. Recent WS Society · grants from funders, large and small, have ranged from £2.5 million over five years to single grants of Community Fundraising £1,000. We’d particularly like to acknowledge the With increased public awareness of an ageing generous support of Life Changes Trust · Lottery population, loneliness, and the need for age Heritage Fund · National Lottery · Robertson Trust · inclusion, we’re seeing wider participation in Scottish Government · Voluntary Action Fund. sponsored challenge events to raise funds for Age Scotland. This means that our Community Individuals Fundraising work is an important means of public A small number of significant gifts have been engagement, generating around £60,000 this year. received from generous individuals with a philanthropic heart. We’re also fortunate to have a loyal group of regular donors who have given To offer or discuss support, please call faithfully over a number of years – creating an or Stacey Kitzinger on 0333 323 2400 or annual income of around £100,000. email [email protected] Thank you one and all. Thank you.
26 Call us on 0333 32 32 400 inform
Staying safe and well at home
Age Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue DCO McGown continues “We are determined to Service (SFRS) are working in partnership to highlight drive down the number of house fires in Scotland. the dangers householders face from fire, and to Many house fires in Scotland could be prevented provide information on how these can be reduced. by taking a few simple steps. Too often people are Deputy Chief Officer (DCO) David McGown, the injured or killed by fire when, for example, working SFRS’s Director of Prevention and Protection, said: smoke alarms could have prevented a serious fire. "Fires within the home can develop quickly and they Our staff are working in the community every day can be fatal while others can cause injury. They providing advice and assistance as well as fighting can also devastate homes and result in the loss of fires. By working in partnership we can make a precious family items that can never be replaced. difference.” SFRS routinely attend fires within the home and we SFRS offer a free Home Fire Safety Visit (HFSV) see the consequences of such incidents. So, while service. The visits only take around 20 minutes and we can fight fires we believe that prevention is key help householders spot possible fire hazards and - and we will make every effort to stop them from make sure that their home is safer. Firefighters also happening in the first place.” help residents plan what to do if fire does break out, provide essential information about smoke, heat There are over 5000 accidental house fires in and carbon monoxide alarms and identify any other Scotland every year. Cooking is the number one agencies who could provide useful support. cause of these. If you’re distracted or have left the cooking on to go and do something else, fire can You can cut out the chances of a fire happening spread very quickly. Very often it is when people in your home by booking a HFSV, or if you know a are tired, under the influence of alcohol or on person who could be at risk, then please tell them medication that a cooking fire results in someone about our service or call us to see how we can help. being injured or killed. To request a free home fire safety visit for yourself, Over the last five years three-quarters of or someone you know, call 0800 0731 999 or text preventable fire deaths in Scotland were people ‘FIRE’ to 80800 or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk. aged 50 years or over – and almost a third of people The website also contains further information and injured through fire were aged 60 or over. guidance on fire safety.
27 8 I really appreciate your input. I always thought COMMUNITY I’d be too old for this sort of thing. But if I can be CONNECTING of use to somebody, than I am more than happy to help. The Community Caller who took Connecting Service up volunteering has made a huge difference to my day-to-day life Caller who started attending local computer classes I really feel part of life now Whatever your interest, we can help Caller who joined his local Men's Shed you find local groups and services. It's free to call. Contact the Age Scotland Community Connecting service today.
It all starts with a phonecall 0800 12 44 222 Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm